Retractable stand for cycles



June 6, 1950 o. T. OLSON RETRACTABLE STAND FOR CYCLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jari. 31, 1947' INVENTOR OSCAR THE DDORE OLSON ATT ORNEY June 6, 1950 o. .T. OLSON RETRACTABLE STAND FOR CYCLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 31, 1947 llulllllfi INVENTOR FIG 8 m w 0 M w w m 0. W T M R m 8 0 m 2 2 m Patented June 6, 1950 UNITED. STATES PATENT osrics RETRACTABLE STAND FOR CYCLES I Oscar Theodore Olson, Chicago, 111. Application January 31, 1947, Serial No. 725,413

' 4 Claims.

1 This invention is directed to adjustable and retractable stands or supports for cycles, particularly bicycles. It is an important object of my invention to provide a novel stand for bicycles adapted to be retractably and adjustably' mounted on cycles having among other novel features a pair of pivotal legs so mounted that the same will swing downwardly and outwardly when lowered so that in operative position the lower ends of the legs will be a substantial distance apart, and when raised will pivot both inwardly and upwardly so as to be relatively close to the frame and to the opposite sides of the rear wheel.

A further object of myinvention is the provision in an adjustable cycle stand of an attachable body or frame having a pair of retractable legs pivoted to swing in non-aligned planes in order that the same will separate substantially when moved to ground engaging position, and which includes a novel joint and operative connection between the inner ends of said legs.

Presently known cycle stands have principally comprised a pivoted bent arm or brace connected to one side of the lower part of the frame and which brace a cycle only from one side. Stands of the bail type for bracing cycles have usually comprised a U-shaped member supported at the rear axle and necessitating manual downward swinging thereof plus a reverse movement of the cycle. Such types of stands or supports have the shortcomings or disadvantages of either bracing the cycle at one side only necessitating its being supported in inclined position, or have the disadvantage of requiring the lowering of the bail and a raising and reverse movement of the cycle with the result that many users do not use same. Further disadvantages are that the same frequently get out of order and are seldom repaired. My invention overcomes the disadvantages of presently known stands'in providing a two-direction stand which leaves and supports the cycle in a vertical plane and with the wheels engaging the ground and forming part of the supporting means so that there is a four-point support. My novel construction also provides a support which can bequickly and easily snapped to open operative position by a slight manual movement from either side of the cycle and wherein both legs of the stand will swing from a non-obstructing position in a diagonal direction and outwardly to engage the supporting 7 surface.

Other and further important objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description and appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings only one illustration or embodiment of my invention is shown and described in the specification, it being understood that my invention is not to be limited to such illustration.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my stand as mounted on a cycle, fragments of which are shown, and showing lowered position thereof in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view taken on a plane indicated by line 22 of Fig. 1, of portions of the legs. 1

Fig. 3 is an elevational view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view, with parts broken away, showing the normally rear side of the stand, with cycle fork parts in cross section.

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view, with parts broken away, taken substantially on an angular plane indicated as line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged cross section taken on line 'l-'| of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a cross section with parts broken away and taken on line 88 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings reference numeral l0 designates a fragment of a bicycle frame in the journalling box of which are rotatably mounted bearings (not shown) by means of which pedal arms H are rotatably mounted. Rearwardly extending two-section fork I2 is welded to the journal box l3 in the usual manner and its rear portion (not shown) is joined to the usual diagonal brace which extends to the upper part of the frame below the seat.

Metal mounting plate or clamp 14 has its opposite edges preferably curved as shown in Fig. 3 and has a pair of perpendicularly extending integral ears l5. Clamp 14 has a central threaded opening in which is threaded clamping bolt l6 which passes through an opening in plate 11 whose side sections clamp on the frame fork I2.

Numeral I8 designates an elongated channellike body or member, one end of which is secured by welding or the like to ears or lugs l5 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The normally lower end l9 thereof is preferably bent or offset and the integral side flanges 19a are formed in outwardly extending and outwardly spreading directions as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. Flanges 19 each have a central aperture therein so that said apertures are in non-alignment as shown in Fig. 6.

Mounted across the inner side of the channel between flanges l9a is a. substantially U-shaped yoke or connecting strap 20 which has holes in its opposite end portions which register with the holes in flanges l9a.

A pair of metal legs 2| and 22, which are preferably offset as shown in Fig. 3, and which are preferably made of angle iron have a hole formed in the upper end of each thereof through which the pivot bolts 23 and 24 pass. As shown in Fig. 6, secured by welding against the inner face of leg 2| is a U-shaped bracket 25 and similarly se cured against the inner face of leg 22 is a similar U-shaped metal bracket 26. Each of said brackets have a threaded central aperture in which are threaded the end portions of pivot bolts 23 and 24 respectively, as shown in Figs. 6 and '7.

Each of said brackets 25 and 26 have substantially perpendicularly extending arms 25a and 26a respectively, one of the arms 250, being shown in Fig. 6 and both of the arms 26a being shown in crosssection in Fig. 6.

The two said arms 25a ofsaid bracket 25 have a pair of aligned holes therein, and the arms 26a of bracket 26 have aligned holes therein.

A cap-like metal plug or member 21 has two sets or pairs of apertures therein, each thereof substantially ninety degrees apart. In one pair of 'said passages is journalled and secured a rivet or pivot 28 as shown in Fig. '7. Pivot 23 has a central passage therethrough through which extends a second pivot 29 which said pivot is secured though journalled in the aligned holes of arms 26a so that said pivots 28 and 29 are disposed perpendicularly to each other and in intersecting relation. This construction provides a universal joint whereby the two legs may be pivoted or rocked arcuately at least ninety degrees.

It will be understood that pivot bolts 23 and 24 have their threaded end portions reduced and each have an annular shoulder at the juncture of the main part of the bolt and the threaded portion. Said bolts are threaded in tightly so that the shoulders thereof frictionally engage and seat against the outer faces respectively of the legs 21 and 22 and the'round portion of each of said bolts therefor are adapted to rock or partially rotate within the apertures respectively of the flanges 19a. Accordingly the said pivot bolts partially rotate during movements of said legs. I

The lower edge of the body portion IQ of member l8 acts as a stop to limit the opening movement of the legs as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The two lower edges of yoke or strap 20, shown in elevation in Fig. 4, limit the upward retracting movement of the legs with the co-acting assistance of the lug or stud 3B which is secured in the central part of the yoke as shown in Figs. 4 and 8. Stud 38 is 'of such size that when the legs are retracted the edge portions of the legs and 22 engage the side surface thereof as shown in Fig. 8, and thereby prevent any further closing together movement of said legs. It will be understood that by virtue of said universal joint connection the said legs will move in unison and substantially equal distances when actuated in either direction so that said legs will be maintained in a substantially common transverse plane.

As shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 a metal coil spring 3.! having hooked ends has one end anchored in a hole 32 in an intermediate part of leg 22 and its other end is anchored in a hole in leg 2! at a joint nearer to the member I 8. Said spring is of such length that in retracted position it is stretched only to a small degree, and as the legs are moved to lowered outwardly stretched position the spring is stretched as indicated in Fig. 3. Said spring acts as a means for pulling the legs to retracted position after the legs are kicked or otherwise moved past dead center position which position is at a point when said legs begin to move toward each other. As the fully outstretched position of said legs is slightly more than ninety degrees from retracted position and beyond'or forward of a longitudinal axis passing through member l8, said legs actually move a short distance toward each other when they pass such dead center position, so that said spring also acts to hold said legs in open and operating position (forward of dead center position), as shown-in Fig. 1.

An important accomplishment of my invention is the provision of a retractable stand which supports a bicycle from two sides; which may optionally be of a size so that both wheels of the cycle contact the supporting surface at the same time that the legs engage such surface; and which possesses novel features causing the stand to be out of the way close to the rear wheel when retracted and widely spread when projected to provide a firm brace from both sides.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently widely-different' embodiments of my invention, within the scope of the claims, constructed without departing from the spirit or scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1. In a stand for cycles or the like an elongated channelled metal body clampable in depending position to a cycle frame; a pair of outwardly diverging apertured mounting'ears on said body; a pair of U-shaped brackets pivotally connected together; a pair of metal legs, one thereof being pivoted to the inner faces of each of said mounting ears; said brackets being secured to the inner ends of said legs respectively; said brackets providing for equal simultaneous movement of said legs, an :apertured cross pin in one of said brackets; a piVO'ting pin in the other of said brackets, said pivoting pin passing through the aperture of said cross pin; and spring means connected to said legs for aiding retraction of said legs to inoperative positions.

2. In a retractable stand for cycles and the like; a channel-like member having integral outwardly diverging apertured flanges; clamping means for securing said member to the lower portion of a bicycle frame; a pair of legs pivoted at one end each thereof to said member flange respectively and placed inside said outwardly diverging apertured flanges; means on said channel-like member for limiting the forward and backward movement of said legs; a U-shaped bracket joined to each of said legs; a common plug to which each of said brackets is attached; a pivot passing through the legs of one of said lol -shaped brackets and said plug; a second pivot passing through the other of said U-shaped brackets and through the said plug and said first pivot at an angle.

In a retractable-stand for cycles and the like a channel-like member having outwardly extending non-parallel apertured flanges; clamping means for securing said member to the lower portion of a bicycle frame; a pair of legs pivoted at each :end thereof, said legs being adapted to gradually spread apart in unison to the supporting position and to converge in unison to the resting position; a joint connecting said legs at their pivoted ends adapted to effect said spreading apart and said convergence; said joint comprising a U-shaped bracket on the inside of each of said legs at said pivotal end of each of said legs, both of said brackets being attached to a common plug, a pivot passing through the said leg of one of said U-shaped brackets and said common plug, a second pivot passing through the legs of the other of said U-shaped brackets and through the common plug intersecting said first pivot at an angle; a spring means connecting said legs, adapted to aid in pulling said legs to the retracted position and adapted. to aid holding said legs in a retracted position; a connecting strap secured to said channel-like member; a stud limiting the convergence of said legs, said stud being secured to said connecting strap; and means on said channel-like member for maintaining said legs in an extended diverged supporting position.

4. In a retractable stand for cycles and like; a channel-like member having outwardly extending non-parallel apertured flanges; clamping means for securing said channel-like member to the lower portion of the cycle frame; a pair of legs pivoted at one end of each thereof to said member flanges respectively, and placed inside said outwardly diverging apertured flanges, said legs being adapted to gradually diverge in unison to the supporting position and gradually converge in unison to the normal resting position; a joint adapted to effect said diverging and converging connecting said legs at the pivotal ends of said legs; said joint comprises a U-shaped bracket on the inside of each of said legs, both of said brackets being attached to a common plug-like member, a pivot passing through the legs of one of said U-shaped brackets and said common plug-like member, a second pivot passing through the legs of the other of said U -shaped brackets and through the common plug-like member intersecting said first pivot at an angle; a spring adapted to aid in pulling said legs together after said legs have been removed from the supporting position, said spring being adapted to aid in holding said legs in a retracted and in the normal resting position; a connecting strap secured to said channel-like member; a stud limiting the convergence of said legs in the backward movement of said legs from the normal supporting position, said stud being secured to said connecting strap; and an integral lower edge of said channel-like member limiting the forward convergence of said legs from the normal supporting position.

OSCAR THEODORE OLSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 623,298 Wendler Apr. 18, 1899 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 40,335 Netherlands Mar. 15, 1937 746,542 France Mar. 14, 1933 

